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The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Rail is now soliciting competitive applications from local road agencies who partner with railroads to improve the condition of railroad crossing surfaces within their communities. There is no cost or obligation for local road agencies to participate in this program. If selected, projects are covered by 60% state funding with a 40% railroad match.

This program is specifically for the repair or reconstruction of railroad crossing surfaces and only covers work items that are to be performed by the railroad company. By law, roadway approach repairs remain the responsibility of the road agency, and the establishing legislation specifically excludes costs for roadway approach work from crossing surface project awards.

The Local Grade Surface Program uses an online application tool to process applications in compliance with the State’s requirement for collecting and certifying electronic signatures. Applicants will be required to accept the Agreement to Electronically Sign State of Michigan Documents prior to completing the application (MDOT Form 2071). Details and instructions are on our website at the link provided below.

Guidance for the 2027 Program follows below:

• Applications may only be submitted online by local road authorities.
• Applications must include detailed railroad estimates, proof of 40% railroad match, and updated traffic
• Eligible project costs include materials, labor and equipment for railroad work items: preliminary engineering
• costs and roadway approach work are not eligible.
• Applications must be received by close of business on September 30, 2026.
• Project selection will be in compliance with the criteria established by law.
• Applications will be evaluated and projects should be selected/announced by late November.

It should be noted there are significant public advantages if a proposed project includes coordinated adjacent road work. Therefore, road agencies are encouraged to seek opportunities to combine adjacent roadway surface improvement projects with any pending railroad crossing surface applications, as this project category will receive priority consideration in the 2027 Program. It is incumbent upon railroads and road agencies to work together to ensure that applications are complete and accurate.

This program is administered in compliance with enabling legislation, details of which can be found in Act 51, MCL 247.661(1)(d). Application instructions can be found here and the application can be accessed here.

Please feel free to contact the Local Grade Crossing office directly at 517-897-2103 if you have any questions.

John LaMacchia is the League’s director of state & federal affairs. He can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0303.